Blue palmetto (Sabal palmetto, Syst. Veg. 7: 1487 (1830))

Family: Arecaceae

Author: (Walter) Lodd. ex Schult. & Schult.f.

Bibliography: Syst. Veg. 7: 1487 (1830)

Year: 1830

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Sabal

Vegetable: False

Observations: SE. U.S.A. to W. Cuba

Description

Blue palmetto, known scientifically as Sabal palmetto, thrives in the southeastern regions of the United States extending to western Cuba. This resilient plant stands as a proud member of the Arecaceae family, a notable group within the botanical world.

The origins of Sabal palmetto’s scientific nomenclature trace back to an extensive botanical documentation, specifically outlined in the “Syst. Veg.” volume 7, page 1487, published in 1830. The authoritative naming is credited to contributions by Walter, with Loddiges, Schultes, and Schultes the younger further elaborating and finalizing the classification.

Blue palmetto is commonly found in its native habitats, adding a distinct verdant exuberance to the landscapes it adorns. Whether swaying gracefully in the coastal breezes or providing shade and shelter in various terrestrial settings, this species embodies both the aesthetic and ecological values inherent to the rich flora of its regions.

The plant’s robust adaptability allows it to thrive in diverse environments, contributing significantly to the ecosystems where it naturally occurs. Its prominence in both natural and cultivated landscapes underscores the cultural and environmental importance of the Blue palmetto, echoing a legacy rooted in botanical heritage and ongoing ecological significance.

Common Names

Deu: palmettopalme
Eng: blue palmetto, cabbage palm, cabbage palmetto
Fra: chou palmiste
Por: palmeira-leque-sabal, palmeto, sabal-da-flórida
Spa: palmeto
En: Blue palmetto, Cabbage palm, Cabbage palmetto
Fr: Chou palmiste, Palmier de Floride, Sabal
De: Palmettopalme
Pt: Palmeira-leque-sabal, Palmeto, Sabal-da-flórida
Es: Palmeto

Synonyms

• Sabal palmetto var. bahamensis (Becc.)
• Sabal jamesiana (Small)
• Chamaerops palmetto ((Walter) Michx.)
• Sabal blackburniana (Schult. & Schult.f.)
• Sabal parviflora (Becc.)
• Sabal bahamensis ((Becc.) L.H.Bailey)
• Sabal schwarzii ((O.F.Cook) Becc.)
• Inodes blackburniana ((Schult. & Schult.f.) O.F.Cook)
• Corypha umbraculifera (Jacq.)
• Corypha palmetto (Walter)
• Inodes palmetto ((Walter) O.F.Cook)
• Inodes schwarzii (O.F.Cook)
• Sabal viatoris (L.H.Bailey)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Bahamas (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Florida (native)
• Georgia (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• Turks-Caicos Is. (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Dec 29, 2019 by Diego Alex (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 2, 2019 by Diego Alex (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 13, 2021 by Lisa Groves (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 8, 2020 by Beate Isbert (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 1, 2022 by Christian Toulza (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Mar 2, 2021 by Andy🐾🍃 Catalano (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 10, 2022 by Richard Thomas (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 29, 2020 by Tom Doherty (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 10, 2021 by Marzanna Bug (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 13, 2021 by Lisa Groves (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Fruit

Taken Jan 7, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Geneviève Botti (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 7, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Geneviève Botti (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 6, 2022 by Nathalie Potel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 10, 2021 by Marzanna Bug (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 13, 2021 by Lisa Groves (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 1, 1991 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-nc)

Taken May 7, 2022 by Naushad BM (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 27, 2021 by Will Clark (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 10, 2021 by Marzanna Bug (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 7, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Geneviève Botti (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Apr 21, 2021 by P A (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 6, 2021 by Amar Amazigh (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/4925538)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1004566-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Sabal palmetto (Walter) Lodd. ex Schult. & Schult.f.)

Specifications

Growth form>: Single Stem

Growth habit>: Tree

Growth rate>: Slow

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.8

Ph minimum: 5.1